Summary: Kagome left Japan to stay with her Uncle following the end of her time traveling. It was supposed to be a new beginning, so why, no matter how hard she tried to avoid it, does she still get swept up in the supernatural at every turn? From demons to vampires and werewolves… she never really could catch a break. She could never escape it, but maybe she could learn to embrace it.

Pairing: Undecided.

Disclaimer: I do not own either series. Each belongs to their rightful owners.

Note:
Flashbacks/Past are written in bulk Italics.

Prologue

It shouldn't have ended the way it did.

The jewel was supposed to disappear, leaving her free of the burden that came hand-in-hand with it. She was supposed to go on with her life- a life full of peace and calm after the storm she'd endured. It was supposed to be a bittersweet end, but one she was thankful for all the same. The fighting was supposed to be over, and she was supposed to move on.

So why…?

A heavy weight rested on her shoulders as she sat at her desk, head resting in her folded arms as she gazed at the pink bauble that rested on the wood. It glittered and glistened beautifully, but the beauty was nothing more than a facade- a harsh lie. The jewel was a curse. It was a burden.

It was her burden to bear now. Not that she ever wanted it in the first place, no. It was never her choice, it seemed. Granted, it wasn't like she ever had a choice going down the well the first time, anyway. Getting stuck with the jewel just seemed on theme with the rest of her time travel escapades- no matter how undeniably frustrating it all was.

There was a knock on her door, and Kagome picked her head up to glance in the direction of the door. A second or two later, it was opened and her mother peered in to glance at her. She could feel the worry just as clearly as she could see it reflected in her dark eyes.

"How are you feeling?"

The question was simple, but the answer…? Not so much, it seemed.

Kagome sat up fully, silently reaching out to roll the jewel along the wooden surface she'd placed it on. It was smooth perfection. There was no sign to spot that it'd ever even been broken in the first place. Not a crack, not a chip, not even a single line marring the pristine surface.

"I'm…" Kagome paused, trying to find an answer that didn't feel like a lie. As the pause grew larger and larger, Kagome retracted her hand away from the jewel and rested both of them in her lap. She sighed, the sound showing her heavy emotions. "I don't know," she admitted after a few more seconds. Her gaze was downcast, but she didn't need to be looking at her mother to know just how concerned she was.

She could feel it all.

Her mother stepped more into the room, going to sit on her bed. The only sound at first was the creaking of the mattress as she got settled on it. There was something in her aura that she could pick up on. It was heavy, and it got harder to ignore the longer they were in the same room.

"I think you should get away from home for a while," Kun-Loon stated then. Kagome picked her gaze up and turned to look at the older woman. Though her aura felt sad, her mother looked at her with a smile, albeit a small one. "Get away from the well and the memories so you can adjust to all of this," she continued.

"Being the jewel's guardian?" Kagome questioned, and Kun-Loon nodded.

"I know it's not what you wanted to happen," she said softly, "and I'm sorry that you're stuck with it like you are."

Kagome downcasted her gaze again, doing so this time to hide the tears as they formed. "I just have to learn to live with it, is all," she responded quietly.

"I know," Kun-Loon said, "and I know that you'll be able to. You'll do it easily, much easier than you might think," she stated, a smile on her face. "It's a part of who you are, after all…" she whispered.

Her daughter was strong, brave, and resilient. Even if things seemed dim to her at the moment, she would adapt in whatever way she needed. No matter the hand she got dealt, no matter how harsh or bad, she would still do anything she had to in order to overcome it.

"I think that going somewhere else for a while will help you," Kun-Loon stated then. "I think it will help you a lot more than you probably think."

Kagome sighed, unable to prevent her slight nod of agreement. The well had such a suffocating aura about it, even if the magic it possessed got weaker and weaker as time gradually went on. It was never far from her mind, always occupying it just like the jewel seemed to do.

"I've been talking to your Uncle Charlie for a couple of days," Kun-Loon continued. "Your father's brother…- do you remember him?" she asked. "Your father used to always take you to visit him when you were little."

The man's face flashed into her mind, and Kagome nodded. The last time she'd gone to see him was a little bit after her father died. After that, they moved to Japan to be closer to her grandfather and to help him tend to the shrine. "I remember him," she said, nodding.

"Well," Kun-Loon continued following Kagome's response, "he said you're more than welcome to stay with him."

"Mom…-"

"I explained that things have been a little much for you lately," Kun-Loon said. "I didn't tell him what exactly had gone on, but I told him that you've gone through a lot. I told him that it might be best for you to get away for a little while, as well," she continued. "That it would be good for you to have space away to heal from this."

Kagome looked down as her mother explained.

"He also said that Bella, your cousin, will be coming to live with him for a little while, as well," Kun-Loon added. "He thought it'd be a good idea for you two to have the chance to spend some time together, too. Help each other settle in, in a way."

"Do you really think it's a good idea?" Kagome asked, gaze straying back to the jewel. It was a reflex at this point, it seemed. Though it seemed demons weren't as common to find in modern times, the worry still lurked in her mind.

What if something happened? What if a demon came after her for the jewel and someone got hurt? Or worse?

"Of course I do," Kun-Loon responded. "I think it'll be good for you, even if you aren't sure right now."

Kagome looked up at her as Kun-Loon rose from her seat on the bed.

"Give it a shot, at least," she said. When Kagome finally relented with a nod, Kun-Loon's smile lifted considerably. "I'll handle the flights and everything," she said. "Go ahead and pack, okay?"

Kagome could only nod as her mother walked out of her room. After she'd left, she let out a sigh and slumped forward across her desk, returning to the position she'd been in before her mother walked in.

She sat there, silently glaring at the jewel.

Without a word, she reached out and flicked it. It rolled before it was stopped by the chain it was clipped to. She rose from her seat and turned away from it.

A week later, Kagome found herself walking out of the airport. She followed behind the man she recognized from her memories. He looked slightly different, older, but he was still the same person she remembered. He set her luggage in the trunk. As he did, he encouraged her to get into the car.

The rain fell with seemingly no end in sight and it brought along a sweeping chill with it. Once they were both in the car, Charlie wasted no time turning it on and working on the heat. It was quiet for a few minutes as they sat there.

She let her thoughts focus on the rain as they started driving down the road. She gazed out the window at her side. Certain places seemed familiar in her mind, while others lacked that feeling of familiarity. Just as familiar was the heavy and constant rain.

She could always remember the rain being present every time she came to visit Charlie in the past. She could also remember playing in it often. A small smile appeared on her face as she kept her attention on the greenery they drove past.

It was nice, in a way.

The rain could easily wash scent trails away, and, while it was significantly harder, it could also wash away the lingering remnant left behind by auras.

At the very least, it'd be nice to pretend. To pretend to be free of the burden of the jewel. If she was stuck with it, she knew she'd have to learn to accept it, but it was nice to think of the possibility of being able to just tune it out and not worry about outside forces picking up on its presnece.

000

They arrived at the familiar house, and, as she got out of the car, Charlie went around to retrieve her luggage. She followed, grabbing one of the bags before he could gather it all like he did earlier.

She followed him inside and up the stairs as he led her to a room. He stepped inside and set the bags down against a wall before turning to look at her.

"What do you think?" he asked as she looked at the newly remodeled room. It was the room she used to always stay in whenever she came to visit. The layout was very familiar. "Asked your mom what style and colors you were into," he went on to say, rubbing the back of his head.

The walls were a light shade of blue and the dresser was a snowy white. The covers on the bed were a matching pastel color while the bedframe was dark. It was pushed up against a wall, and right beside it was a white bedside table. The walls were bare and ready to be decorated however she wished. In the center of the room was a black rug that covered most of the hardwood floor.

Kagome turned to look at him with a smile on her face. "I like it," she said, "it's perfect. Thank you, Uncle Charlie."

Her response made him smile. It was a little awkward, but it was also genuine.

"Well, good," he responded. "If you're gonna be staying for a while, I figured you'd appreciate a room you liked."

Kagome let her smile grow a bit as she sat down on the bed. The window on the furthest wall had pale yellow curtains that were partially closed. As she looked around, Charlie hovered by the door. After a few more seconds, he spoke again.

"Bella will be getting here tomorrow," he said. Kagome shifted her focus back to him. "Got everything ready for school for the two of you, too," he added. Kagome nodded.

"I can't wait," she responded, and Charlie nodded. He stepped out of the room a few seconds later.

"I'll leave you so you can get settled," he said, and Kagome stood from where she sat. He walked out of the room and back downstairs as she focused on unpacking.

Auroua-chan: This is something I started to work on a long time ago, but never actually published it. I went through and tinkered with it a bit, but here it is!

The pairing is undecided and suggestions are welcome. Personally, I'm leaning toward one of the wolfpack, but nothing has been decided on.
In the next chapter, Kagome and Bella, plus Jacob and his dad. Also perhaps the first day at school? (Along with Kagome realizing something is off…)

Anyway, that's it for now! Thank you all for reading and I hope you all enjoyed. Hopefully I caught all the errors before posting, but if not sorry.

Please remember to review&favorite&follow, thank you!

Bye for now~